Distributed Surgical Hub Control for Modular Device Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical systems lack efficient and integrated control mechanisms for modular surgical devices, leading to inefficiencies and potential disruptions during procedures due to entanglement of power, data, and fluid lines, and a need for improved communication and coordination between sterile and non-sterile field operators.
Innovation Solution
A distributed control system that includes a surgical hub and modular devices, equipped with sensors and processors, to detect and control surgical instruments, allowing for unified management of power, data, and fluid lines, and enabling interactive communication between sterile and non-sterile field operators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a distributed control system is implemented with both hub processor and device processor executing control functions, then control reliability and situational awareness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two distinct processing levels: a hub processor that handles high-level coordination, data aggregation, and system-wide control decisions, and device processors that execute localized control functions and sensor data acquisition. This segmentation distributes computational load and improves reliability through redundancy while managing complexity through clear functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub processor acts as an intermediary between multiple modular devices and the external control environment. It mediates communication between devices, aggregates data from multiple sensors, and coordinates control actions across the surgical system, thereby improving overall system reliability without requiring each individual device to handle complex integration logic.
2Ease of operation
If modular surgical devices with integrated sensors and processors are used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (sensors, processors, actuators, and communication interfaces) are merged into integrated modular surgical devices. Each module combines sensing, processing, and actuation capabilities in a unified package that operates autonomously to a significant degree, improving ease of operation by reducing the number of separate components and connections required.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular devices are designed with universal interfaces and standardized communication protocols that allow the same hardware platform to perform multiple surgical functions. The device processor can execute different control algorithms and the sensor array can detect various physical quantities, enabling one device to serve multiple purposes and thereby improving operational simplicity.
3Productivity
If real-time data detection and control adjustments are implemented, then productivity is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements periodic sampling of sensor data and periodic update of control adjustments rather than continuous monitoring and control. The device processor periodically reads sensor values, processes changes, and updates actuator commands at optimized intervals, achieving real-time responsiveness while reducing energy consumption by keeping processors in low-power states between sampling cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial processing by focusing computational resources only on the most critical sensor data and control parameters that directly impact surgical outcomes. Not all sensor data is processed at full resolution or frequency - the device processor selectively processes data based on priority and change thresholds, maintaining productivity for critical functions while reducing overall energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical hub systems are disclosed. A surgical hub system comprises a surgical hub configured to communicably couple to a modular device comprising a sensor configured to detect data associated with the modular device and a device processor. The surgical hub comprises a hub processor, a hub memory coupled to the hub processor. The surgical hub system also comprises a distributed control system executable at least in part by each of the device processor and the hub processor. The distributed control system is configured to: receive the data detected by the sensor; determine control adjustments for the modular device according to the data; and control the modular device according to the control adjustments. When in a first mode, the distributed control system is executed by both the hub processor and the device processor. In a second mode, the distributed control system is executed solely by the device processor.